How to Add an Overlay to an Image Using Adobe XD

Adding overlay effects to your images in Adobe XD is quick and easy. Let's show you how.

Adobe XD allows you to create custom UI/UX components, mockups, wireframes, and more. It is also a great platform that you can use to create various forms of artwork.

One of the common effects that you may need to use for posters or other marketing material is to add a dark or bright overlay on top of an image. This is often used to make the text on top of the image more visible so that users can read the text more easily.

Learn how to add these dark or bright overlay effects in Adobe XD.

How to Add a Dark Overlay to an Image

To add a dark overlay to an image, you will first need to import a photo or graphic element onto the canvas. You will then need to add another shape on top of the original image, to configure the overlay effect.

1. Drag a photo onto the canvas in Adobe XD.
   
2. On the left-hand column, click on the square icon. This will allow you to drag and drop a square shape onto the canvas.
3. Position the square directly on top of your image.
   
4. Highlight the square shape. On the right-hand properties' pane, change the background fill to black.
   
5. With the square shape still highlighted, adjust the opacity level to 60%. The opacity will allow you to see through the square image. You will be able to see your original image with the square adding the dark overlay effect on top.
   
6. You can adjust the opacity to your desired amount if you want the overlay to be more or less dark.

If you just got started with Adobe XD, read our complete beginner's guide.

How to Add a Light Overlay to an Image

There are multiple ways that you can add a white overlay to an image.

1. If you still have a square shape on top of the original image, you can change the background fill color to white instead of black. Keep the opacity level at your desired amount.
   
2. Alternatively, you can also change the opacity of the original image itself, without needing to add an extra square. Highlight the original image and change the opacity.
   

If you're interested in adding more effects and graphics to your projects, we show you how with Adobe Media Encoder.

Easily Add Overlays to Your Images in Adobe XD

Adobe XD is a great platform that you can use to add special effects on top of images. One way to add the overlay effect to an image is to add a separate square and configure the background color and opacity, as shown above.

If you are adding text on top of the image, this will hopefully make your text more readable for users.

Adding an overlay effect is just one of the many things you can do using Adobe XD. You can continue learning about the other various features that Adobe XD offers. This includes features such as device artboards, time triggers, and hyperlinks.